Movies Update: Love Valentine’s Day? Hate it? Either way, movies for you

Plus, a new Bridget Jones movie to stream at home.

View in browser|nytimes.com February 14, 2025 By Kellina Moore Happy Valentine's Day, movie lovers! If you ask me, there's nothing more romantic than curling up in a dark room with some big feelings — regardless of if you're next to your partner, brushing hands in the popcorn bucket, or not. My personal dream date movies feature love with a grim twist: "Crash," "Wristcutters: A Love Story," any entry in the "Conjuring" series. But whether you're in the mood for something sinister or something sweet, our Valentine's Day streaming guide has you covered with everything except the heart-shaped chocolates. Plus, two new romance movies are out this week. One is "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy," which sees the charmingly frazzled Londoner tackling the loss of her husband and the roller coaster of being a single mother. The other is "The Annihilation of Fish," an oddball romance about two people who find each other in the throes of madness, which is getting its first theatrical release 26 years after its festival debut. Both are Critic's Picks. The real big date we're gearing up for on the desk, however, is the Oscars, which are just around the corner. Get the lay of the land with the Projectionist Kyle Buchanan's updates on the state of the race; or get to know some of the biggest stars (I'm pulling for you, Demi) and the shortest films. Before I go, I want to recommend this stunning essay from Rachel Sherman, in which she shares how the Paddington films have accompanied her on a journey of grief. "I was rooting him on, and maybe rooting for myself, too," she writes of the little bear. It's a powerful example of what films can offer us at their best. Have a lovely weekend, and enjoy the movies! Lauren Martin Love or Hate Valentine's Day? Great movies to watch no matter how you feel about the holiday. By Esther Zuckerman Paul Popper/Getty Images, via Sony Critic's pick 'Becoming Led Zeppelin' Review: The Master Blasters A new documentary looks back at the band's early years, featuring interviews with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones in retrospective mode. By Manohla Dargis Stephen Paley/Sony/Onyx Collective 'Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)' Review: Struggling to Transmit Questlove's new documentary aims to dissect the forward-looking brilliance of Sly Stone and his band, but mostly it traces their downward arc. By Wesley Morris Eli Adé/Marvel Studios 'Captain America: Brave New World' Review: This One's Red The latest Marvel movie introduces a new Captain America in the form of a political thriller. By Brandon Yu CRITICS' PICKS Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures/Peacock Critic's Pick 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' Brings a Screwball Heroine Back The madcap Londoner returns in a third sequel that is just as deliciously satisfying as the first movie in the series — maybe even more. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Oscilloscope Laboratories Critic's Pick 'Universal Language' Review: If Tehran Were Winnipeg A lightly satirical and surrealist comedy imagines the snowy Canadian city in the style of the Iranian New Wave. By Alissa Wilkinson MOVIE REVIEWS Sony Pictures 'Paddington in Peru' Review: Homeward Bound The genial bear embarks on an Amazonian journey of self discovery in this movie, which cannot measure up to "Paddington 2" despite its charms. By Natalia Winkelman Shorts 'The 2025 Oscar Nominated Short Films' Review: Bite-Size Stories, Big Ideas The themes run from sweet to harrowing in this year's selections. By Jeannette Catsoulis, Beatrice Loayza and Ben Kenigsberg Cinema Politica 'Notes on Displacement' Review: Seeking a Fresh Start in Europe The artist and director Khaled Jarrar accompanies a group of people from Syria on their way to Germany in this documentary. By Ben Kenigsberg Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix 'La Dolce Villa' Review: Sweet Italian Nonsense A light as air romantic comedy about a cheap villa in a fictional town capitalizes on the "Emily in Paris" model, with pasta. By Alissa Wilkinson ANATOMY OF A SCENE Lol Crawley/A24 Anatomy of a Scene Watch Adrien Brody Defend His Art in 'The Brutalist' The director Brady Corbet narrates a scene from his film, which is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. By Mekado Murphy Mubi Anatomy of a Scene Watch Demi Moore Transform in 'The Substance' The writer and director Coralie Fargeat narrates a sequence from her film, which is nominated for best picture. By Mekado Murphy NEWS & FEATURES Caroline Tompkins for The New York Times A Turn as Trump Made Sebastian Stan an Unlikely Oscar Nominee He is attracting different attention, and some leading man hardware, after standout performances in "The Apprentice" and "A Different Man." By Marc Tracy Sinna Nasseri for The New York Times One Wordless, Animated Cat Movie. Two Oscar Nominations. Gints Zilbalodis's "Flow" is the first Latvian film to get Academy Award nods, for animated feature and international feature. The director talks about the film's journey. By Carlos Aguilar Historic Films Archive A Lost Silent Film About Lincoln Was Unearthed by an Intern "The Heart of Lincoln," a 1922 movie directed by the pioneering filmmaker Francis Ford, was found at a stock-footage library on Long Island. By Derrick Bryson Taylor Pathé Films The Projectionist Where the Oscar Race Stands After Two Tumultuous Weeks "Emilia Pérez" is hobbled, "Anora" is revitalized and plenty remains up in the air ahead of the March 2 awards ceremony. By Kyle Buchanan Studio Canal Grieving With Paddington A newly mourning daughter finds an unexpected companion in the beloved films, whose star, a little bear, sets an example of how to live with loss. By Rachel Sherman Photo illustration by Tyler Comrie Screenland When Remaking a Masterpiece Is Worth the Risk Robert Eggers confronts the corrosive effects of power through his depiction of an unspeakable erotic bond. By Jim Shepard Warner Bros., via Everett Collection Critic's Notebook Is the 'Bridget Jones' Movie Making You Nostalgic? Try 'Crossing Delancey.' This 1988 rom-com, starring Amy Irving, joins the Criterion Collection this month. But it has been warming hearts for decades. By Jason Bailey STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Vertical Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include unleashed libidos, striking animation and strange underground caves. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Searchlight Pictures The Best Movies and Shows on Hulu Right Now We've handpicked the finest movies and television shows currently streaming on Hulu in the United States. Take a look. By Jason Bailey MGM The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don't have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We'll do the heavy lifting. You press play. By Jason Bailey How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. 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